Computer-based supplier knowledge management system and method

ABSTRACT

Provided is a computer-based supplier knowledge management method, system, and computer program product. The system embodies the computer program code which, when executed performs the method. The method includes establishing an electronic profile for one or more users from an entity; establishing an electronic supplier profile for each of a plurality of suppliers, each supplier profile comprising a set of supplier keywords; generating an electronic RFI by an entity user, the RFI comprising a set of user specified RFI keywords corresponding to a project; and electronically processing the RFI, including performing keyword matching between the RFI keywords and one or more of the supplier profiles and generating a list of candidate suppliers for the project based, at least in part, on the keyword matching.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/325,029, entitled“COMPUTER-BASED SUPPLIER KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD,” filedApr. 20, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF INTEREST

The present inventive concepts relate to the field of computer-basedsystems useful for supplier/vendor selection and management and, moreparticularly, to an automated system and method for matching user needsand requirements with suppliers offering services that fulfill suchneeds and requirements.

BACKGROUND

Oftentimes, sourcing suppliers for providing various goods and/orservices can prove to be an arduous and time-consuming task. Findingqualified providers for a wide variety of company needs can involvesearching for suppliers that offer particular goods and/or services,seeking reviews or recommendations for the suppliers, validatingsupplier-provided information based on such recommendations, reachingout to selected suppliers for further information regarding theirqualifications and their ability to meet specific needs. All of thismust be completed before buying organizations can submit requests forbids to the suppliers for the intended purchases. This can be a veryinefficient process, particularly within a larger entity where manylevels of approval must be sought before a supplier can be selected.Further, in instances where one division or department within an entitymay have preferred suppliers for particular goods and/or services, otherdepartments within that entity could be unnecessarily performing theabove vetting process, being unaware of the former department'sknowledge of suppliers for particular services.

There is a need for a technical solution to the above problems, andrelated problems of organizing and managing data and information in adistributed computer platform that enables efficient searching,utilization, and management of supplier information by client-users thatshortens and improves the client-user interaction with the computersystem to more rapidly and effectively generate concise, filtered andtargeted results for candidate suppliers, where the client-users areconsumers of supplier goods and services.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, provided is acomputer-based supplier knowledge management (SKM) system. The SKMsystem provides a unique, online supplier knowledge management platformthat will enable entities, e.g., companies, to streamline the supplierdiscovery process to make it more targeted and efficient, particularlyfor large organizations or small organizations with resourceconstraints. Using the SKM system, individuals within an entity canquickly connect with their suppliers and receive crediblerecommendations about those suppliers based on their specificrequirements and criteria.

The system and method offers several advantages over existing processesand systems used in supplier knowledge management, such as:

-   -   Can be implemented as SaaS-based supplier network connecting        healthcare companies, as a representative example, to trusted        suppliers.    -   Facilitates better and faster supplier selection, while building        and preserving institutional knowledge.    -   Enables faster, targeted, and more efficient supplier selection        with reduced operational costs, better workflow, faster        onboarding, and better supplier outcomes.    -   Can be configured to connect entities (e.g., healthcare        companies) to credible suppliers across all goods and/or        services categories.    -   Can include a cloud-based database that provides the most up to        date supplier information (profiles managed by suppliers).    -   Can include and utilize a client-populated and client-endorsed        supplier database.    -   Can offer greater perspective and insight on suppliers through        endorsements from employees and industry peers—built on a trust        principal, e.g., “connect with suppliers endorsed by people you        trust.”    -   Offers faster access to highly suitable supplier recommendations        adapted to each business requirement request for information        (RFI)—smart matching powered by data on clients, client/supplier        connections, endorsements and trends.    -   Builds institutional knowledge through employees' supplier        connections, endorsements, issued RFIs, and supplier responses.    -   Helps clients stay on top of industry trends, news, and best        practices and learn from suppliers successes through suppliers'        social media feeds, such as Tealboard™.    -   Expands purchasing scope/influence.    -   Deepens influence on complex indirect spend categories to drive        value beyond sourcing.    -   Reduces cost of procurement operating expenses via improved        process efficiencies.    -   Provides supply market intelligence capabilities.

In accordance with an aspect of the inventive concept, provided is acomputer-based supplier selection and management method. The methodcomprises providing a network accessible computer system comprising atleast one computer processor coupled to at least one storage medium andcomputer program code configured for storage therein and executionthereby and executing the computer program code to perform the method.The method includes: establishing an electronic profile for one or moreusers from an entity; establishing an electronic supplier profile foreach of a plurality of suppliers, each supplier profile comprising a setof supplier keywords; generating an electronic RFI by an entity user,the RFI comprising a set of user specified RFI keywords corresponding toa project; and electronically processing the RFI, including performingkeyword matching between the RFI keywords and one or more of thesupplier profiles and generating a list of candidate suppliers for theproject based, at least in part, on the keyword matching.

In various embodiments, the RFI identifies one or more RFI service typefor the project and each supplier profile includes one or more supplierservice type and processing the RFI includes service type matching thatdetermines the set of candidate suppliers as suppliers having a servicetype matching an RFI service type.

In various embodiments, the system performs the good and/or service typematching before the keyword matching and the keyword matching is onlyperformed on supplier profiles having a good and/or service type match.

In various embodiments, performing the keyword matching includescalculating a keyword matching score for each of the one or moresupplier profiles.

In various embodiments, each supplier profile further includes supplierclient tags and/or a supplier description, and performing the keywordmatching for a supplier includes: determining matches between RFIkeywords and the client tags in the supplier profile; and/or determiningmatches between the RFI keywords and the supplier keywords in thesupplier profile; and/or determining matches between the RFI keywordsand the supplier description in the supplier profile.

In various embodiments, performing the keyword matching for the supplierprofile includes: calculating a supplier tag score based on a number ofmatches between the RFI keywords and the client tags in the supplierprofile; and/or calculating a supplier keyword score based on a numberof matches between the RFI keywords and the supplier keywords in thesupplier profile; and/or calculating a supplier description score basedon a number of matches between the RFI keywords and the supplierdescription in the supplier profile.

In various embodiments, calculating the supplier tag score for thesupplier profile includes summing the number of matches between the RFIkeywords and the client tags in the supplier profile; and/or calculatingthe supplier keyword score for the supplier profile includes summing thenumber of matches between the RFI keywords and the supplier keywords inthe supplier profile; and/or calculating the supplier description scorefor the supplier profile includes summing the number of matches betweenthe RFI keywords and the supplier description in the supplier profile.

In various embodiments, the method includes calculating the keywordmatching score for a supplier profile by summing at least two of thesupplier tag score, the supplier keyword score, and the supplierdescription score.

In various embodiments, generating the list of candidate suppliersincludes ordering the list of candidate suppliers based on the keywordmatching scores.

In various embodiments, calculating a keyword matching score for eachsupplier on the list of candidate suppliers includes associating anumerical value for each keyword match between an RFI keyword and asupplier keyword from the corresponding supplier profile.

In various embodiments, calculating a keyword matching score for eachsupplier includes accumulating the numerical values for each supplierbased on the keyword matching for the corresponding supplier profile.

In various embodiments, establishing the electronic profile for one ormore users from an entity includes listing a set of preferred suppliersin association with the entity.

In various embodiments, establishing the electronic profile for one ormore users from an entity includes listing a set of preferred suppliersin association with the user.

In various embodiments, the supplier profile comprises a plurality ofelements, including a description of services offered, peer endorsementtags and, optionally, one or more of a logo, web site URL, contactinformation, client testimonials and social media links.

In various embodiments, the method further comprises the systemproviding mechanisms to enable user tagging of a supplier profile,wherein a tag is a word tag applied to the supplier profile as anelectronic endorsement of the supplier via its supplier profile.

In various embodiments, the method further comprises first pass sortingthe list of candidate suppliers, including putting preferred suppliersabove other suppliers.

In various embodiments, the method further comprises second pass sortingthe list of candidate suppliers, including determining a tag matchingscore for each supplier and ordering suppliers based on the tag matchingscore, with a supplier having the highest tag score above suppliers withlower tag scores.

In various embodiments, second pass sorting includes, if two or moresuppliers tag scores match, sorting based on a number of clientendorsements for each tag for each supplier, with the supplier havingthe highest number above the other suppliers.

In various embodiments, the method further comprises third pass sortingthe list of candidate suppliers, including listing suppliers having ahighest keyword matching score above suppliers with lower keywordmatching scores.

In various embodiments, the method further comprises the system imposingan upper limit on the number of supplier keywords for the supplierprofile.

In various embodiments, the upper limit of supplier keywords is equal toor less than 20 total supplier keywords.

In various embodiments, the upper limit of supplier keywords is 10 totalsupplier keywords.

In various embodiments, the method further comprises the systemproviding electronic mechanisms enabling a supplier to add a set ofkeywords representing supplier competencies as supplier keywords.

In various embodiments, the supplier profiles include a button or otheruser input device that enables a user to recommend the supplier byadding an endorsement tag to the vendor profile.

In various embodiments, the supplier profiles are in the field ofhealthcare and the supplier competencies are related to healthcare goodsand/or services useful to healthcare providers.

In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concept, provided isa computer-based method of enabling selection of a supplier. The methodcomprises: providing a network-accessible computer system having atleast one computer processor coupled to at least one non-transitorystorage medium; maintaining a database including a plurality of supplieraccounts, each supplier account including at least one of third-partyendorsements of the supplier, the supplier's description of its servicesand a number of supplier keywords selected by the supplier; receiving arequest for goods and/or services, the request including a number ofuser keywords selected by a user; comparing the number of user keywordsto at least one of the third-party endorsements of the supplier, thesupplier's description of its goods and/or services and the number ofsupplier keywords selected by the supplier; calculating a score for eachof the plurality of suppliers based on a number of matches between theuser keywords and the at least one of the third-party endorsements ofthe supplier, the supplier's description of its goods and/or servicesand the number of supplier keywords selected by the supplier; generatinga ranking of the plurality of suppliers relative to each other based onthe calculated scores; and providing the ranking to the user.

In various embodiments, the third-party endorsements are received fromprevious clients of a supplier.

In various embodiments, the supplier keywords are selected from apredetermined menu of keywords.

In various embodiments, the method further comprises enabling eachsupplier to populate its supplier account by accessing the networkaccessible computer system through a supplier interface module.

In various embodiments, the method further comprises providing a userinterface module through which the request for goods and/or services isreceived from a requester.

In various embodiments, the number of user keywords is capped at asecond predetermined limit.

In various embodiments, the first and second predetermined limits arethe same number.

In various embodiments, the first predetermined limit and the secondpredetermined limit are both 10.

In various embodiments, the user interface module comprises a requestform having a number of fields enabling the user to identify the userkeywords.

In various embodiments, the user keywords are selected from apredetermined menu of keywords.

In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concept, provided isa system for enabling the selection of a supplier. The system comprises:a database including a plurality of supplier accounts, each supplieraccount including at least one of reviews of the supplier, thesupplier's description of its services and a number of supplier keywordsselected by the supplier; a user interface module creating a request forgoods and/or services, the request including a number of user keywordsselected by a user; and a transaction module. The transaction module isconfigured to: compare the number of user keywords to at least one ofthe reviews of the supplier, the supplier's description of its servicesand the number of supplier keywords selected by the supplier; calculatea score for each of the plurality of suppliers based on a number ofmatches between the user keywords and the at least one of the reviews ofthe supplier, the supplier's description of its services and the numberof supplier keywords selected by the supplier; generate a ranking of theplurality of suppliers relative to each other based on the calculatedscores; and provide the ranking to the user.

In various embodiments, the method further comprises a supplierinterface module enabling each supplier to populate its supplier accountby accessing the network accessible computer system through the supplierportal.

In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concept, provided isa computer-based method of enabling selection of a goods and/or servicesupplier by a seeker of those specific goods and or services. The methodcomprises: providing a network-accessible computer system having atleast one computer processor coupled to at least one non-transitorystorage medium; maintaining a database including a plurality of supplieraccounts, each supplier account including the supplier's description ofits goods and/or services and a number of supplier keywords selected bythe supplier; receiving, from a user through a user interface module, arequest for goods and/or services, the request including a number ofuser keywords selected by the user, the keywords describingcharacteristics of a type of good and/or service desired by the user;comparing the number of user keywords to the supplier's description ofits goods and/or services and the number of supplier keywords selectedby the supplier; assigning a score for each of the plurality ofsuppliers based on a number of matches between the user keywords andeach supplier's description of its goods and/or services and between theuser keywords and the number of supplier keywords selected by eachsupplier, a supplier having more matches between the user keywords andthe supplier's description of its goods and/or services and between theuser keywords and the number of supplier keywords selected by thesupplier being assigned a higher score than suppliers having fewermatches; generating a ranking of the plurality of suppliers relative toeach other based on the assigned scores, with a supplier having higher ascore being ranked higher than a supplier with a lower score; andproviding the ranking to the requester via the user interface module.

In various embodiments, each supplier account in the database furtherincludes third-party endorsements of the supplier, and the comparingstep further includes comparing the number of user keywords and thethird-party endorsements of the supplier.

In various embodiments, the score for each supplier is further based onmatches between the user keywords and the third-party endorsements ofthe supplier.

In various embodiments, the third-party endorsements are received fromprevious clients of a supplier.

In various embodiments, the method further comprises enabling eachsupplier to populate its supplier account by accessing the networkaccessible computer system through a supplier interface module.

In various embodiments, the number of requester keywords is capped at asecond predetermined limit.

In various embodiments, the first and second predetermined limits arethe same number.

In various embodiments, the first predetermined limit and the secondpredetermined limit are both 10.

In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concept, provided isa supplier selection and management system as shown and described.

In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concept, provided isa supplier selection and management computer program stored in at leastone computer storage media and executable by at least one computerprocessor to perform a supplier selection and management method, asshown and described.

In various embodiments, provided is a concierge module that assists inthe recommendation and selection of a goods and/or service provider.This concierge service module includes an automated component thatlearns from historic request patterns and other information available tothe system to recommend the appropriate suppliers. This conciergeservice module also includes a manual component that enables a user tomonitor the system-generated recommendations and assist where theautomated results are, for example, insufficient.

In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concept, theautomated component of the concierge service module can respond torequests through a textual messaging service, which can be built in tothe application and/or provided through other channels, to respond touser requests.

In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concept, a humanconcierge (as a form of user) can monitor and support the automatedsystem using the concierge service module.

In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concept, theautomated component of the concierge service module can use techniquesof machine learning and/or artificial intelligence to improve automatedrecommendations and responses.

In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concept, theautomated concierge component can provide automated suggestions tosuppliers to assist them in categorizing their goods and/or serviceofferings to improve results.

In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concept, theautomated concierge module will automatically extract and recommendkeywords from each supplier's website. Keywords are preferably words orphrases that are meaningful to the goods and/or services being offered,which can be based on the results of machine learning categorization ofthe supplier.

In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concept, theautomated concierge component can automatically build a map of Englishwords and/or phrases, where words and/or phrases with similar meaningcan be graphically presented close to each other. The system can beconfigured to use this technological approach to broaden a search andsuggest alternative tags for suppliers.

In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concept, theautomated concierge component can automatically extract summaries ofsupplier's capabilities and contact details from websites and providethese as suggestions to suppliers and/or use these details to populatecorresponding records in the system.

In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concept, theautomated concierge component will automatically map suppliers onto alow dimensional space such that similar suppliers are graphicallypresented close to each other to allow suggesting alternative suppliersand visualizing how suppliers in a specific line of business may berelated to each other.

In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concept, theautomated concierge component can use machine-learning techniques toevaluate reference material that refers to suppliers to determine asentiment of the reference material and extract any information aboutsuppliers' capabilities. This technological capability could identifypositive and/or negative views about the supplier and/or the supplier'sgoods and/or services.

In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concept, theautomated concierge service module can be configured to use information,including extracted keyword, descriptions, and sentiments, to improvesupplier recommendations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more apparent in view of the attacheddrawings and accompanying detailed description. The embodiments depictedtherein are provided by way of example, not by way of limitation,wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placedupon illustrating aspects of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing representations of different client andsupplier users of a supplier knowledge management (SKM) computer system,in accordance with aspects of the present inventive concept;

FIGS. 1B-D provide diagrams illustrating computer aspects of the SKMsystem, in accordance with aspects of the present inventive concept;

FIGS. 2A-C are screen shots of a supplier profile page in accordancewith aspects of the present inventive concept;

FIGS. 3A-3C provide various exemplary screens forming part of a clientuser profile within the SKM system, in accordance with aspects of theinventive concept;

FIGS. 3D-3I provide various exemplary screens forming part of a clientcompany user profile within the SKM system, in accordance with aspectsof the inventive concept;

FIGS. 4A-4F are screen shots of forms used to input RFI information intothe SKM system, in accordance with aspects of the present inventiveconcept;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart diagram illustrating a SKM process for retrievinga list of candidate suppliers, in accordance with aspects of the presentinventive concept;

FIGS. 6A and 6B provide additional flowchart diagrams illustrating a SKMprocess, in accordance with aspects of the present inventive concept;and

FIG. 6C is a flowchart diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method ofproviding an automated concierge capability, in accordance with aspectsof the inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the inventive concepts will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which someexemplary embodiments are shown. The present inventive concept may,however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construedas limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. arebe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish oneelement from another, but not to imply a required sequence of elements.For example, a first element can be termed a second element, and,similarly, a second element can be termed a first element, withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, theterm “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”or “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly on orconnected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements can bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyon” or “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element,there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describethe relationship between elements should be interpreted in a likefashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus“directly adjacent,” etc.).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,”“comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specifythe presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper” and the like may be used to describe an element and/or feature'srelationship to another element(s) and/or feature(s) as, for example,illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatiallyrelative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of thedevice in use and/or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” and/or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.The device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or atother orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used hereininterpreted accordingly.

Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference tocross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofidealized exemplary embodiments (and intermediate structures). As such,variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, forexample, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limitedto the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are toinclude deviations in shapes that result, for example, frommanufacturing.

To the extent that functional features, operations, and/or steps aredescribed herein, or otherwise understood to be included within variousembodiments of the inventive concept, such functional features,operations, and/or steps can be embodied in functional blocks, units,modules, operations and/or methods. And to the extent that suchfunctional blocks, units, modules, operations and/or methods includecomputer program code, such computer program code can be stored in acomputer readable medium, e.g., such as non-transitory memory and media,that is executable by at least one computer processor.

A computer-based supplier knowledge management (SKM) system inaccordance with aspects of the inventive concept is a unique, onlinesourcing tool that will help entities, e.g., healthcare companies,streamline their sourcing and supplier discovery processes to make themfaster, more targeted, and efficient. Using the SKM system, enterprises,for example, healthcare companies, can quickly connect with current andprospective suppliers and receive credible recommendations based ontheir specific requirements and criteria.

As an example, the SKM system provides the healthcare industry the mostrobust, credible, and intuitive supplier database that is connected inreal-time. As a system, the SKM system improves healthcare companies'established supplier selection processes to make them simpler, targeted,and more efficient by quickly identifying and validating trustedsuppliers that can best support their needs. Other industries can alsobenefit from applying the SKM system and method in their own fields. Theinventive concept is not, therefore, limited to the healthcare industry.

Through the SKM system, an entity, or a user from the entity, cangenerate a request for information (RFI) for a specific project forwhich a supplier is sought. The RFI is an electronic document or filecreated to search for suppliers that can satisfy the project need. TheSKM system can process the RFI to return a list of candidate suppliersthat could potentially satisfy the project need. The list can be anordered list that reflects matching and sorting performed by comparingthe content of the RFI with content of electronic supplier profiles. Theuser (or entity) could then electronically solicit presentations fromthe listed suppliers.

Based on the returned list of candidate suppliers, the entity thatgenerated the RFI can also review the listed suppliers' profiles andinvite these candidate service providers to electronically submit atailored presentation in response to a published RFI. The presentationshould be focused on how the supplier can fulfill the entity's specificbusiness need expressed in an RFI. A preset limit can be placed on thepresentation, such as limiting a number of slides in a presentation. Forexample, a limit of ten (10) slides could be placed on suchpresentations. Other such limits could be set in other embodiments.

When such slide (or page) limits are set, the SKM system could beconfigured to monitor and enforce the limits. For example, the systemcould electronically analyze the electronic presentation, determine itsslide or page count, and reject a presentation that exceeds the limit,with an electronic warning or other notification back to the supplierthat submitted the presentation.

In some embodiments, the SKM system could be configured to supply atemplate for such presentations. The template could include predefinedfields that enable the company to solicit certain information fromprospective suppliers. Such information could include, if appropriatefor the company's need, cost information, possibly including a paymentschedule, delivery and/or scheduling information, deliverableinformation, information descriptive of the services and/or goods of thesupplier, information identifying past projects (such as those with thecompany); a list of references, and so on. In some embodiments, thetemplate can be configurable by the company or user for a specificproject request (or RFI).

The SKM system could be configured to parse information from thepresentations, particularly if templates are used, and generateanalytical and/or comparative reports for the entity soliciting thepresentation based on supplier information from two or more supplierpresentations, e.g., comparing costs, schedules, and so on.

Note, in the figures, the SKM system and a user's profile within the SKMsystem are sometimes referred to as “tealbook.” Tealbook™ is a trademarkof Tealbook, Inc. Canada. In the figures and the specification, avalidation expertise tool (VET) refers to a supplier evaluation modulethat searches and recommends suppliers for a client entered RFI. VET™ isa trademark of Tealbook, Inc. Canada. In the figures and thespecification, the term “tealboard” is sometimes used to refer to aclient user page within the SKM system that aggregates and organizessocial media information for the user, e.g., from Twitter, Facebook,LinkedIn, and the like. Tealboard™ is a trademark of Tealbook, Inc.Canada.

FIG. 1 is a diagram indicating an embodiment of different types of usersof the SKM system, in accordance with aspects of the inventive concepts.Generally speaking, the SKM system has two distinct types of users, inthe preferred embodiment: suppliers and clients. A “Supplier” is a userthat wants the company/entity s/he works for to be discovered andconnected to clients through the SKM system (or platform). A “Client” isa user that wants the company s/he works for to discover, search, andstay connected with suppliers through the SKM system (or platform).

In some embodiments, the client user category can be further split inthree sub categories which are:

-   -   Professional: User for which the company s/he works for does not        have a corporate membership. Professional user accounts of        people working for the same company are not linked together and        data is not shared between professional users.    -   Corporate: User for which the company s/he works for has a        corporate account membership. Corporate users are able to see        valuable information from other profile pages of users of the        same company.    -   Corporate admin: User that manages corporate membership of a        company, including a corporate profile.

In FIG. 1A, the Supplier is shown either as a single user entity (left)or multi-user entity (right). For example, a multi-user entity can be anentity that provides different types of services through differentdepartments, divisions, subsidiaries, and/or locations.

FIG. 1B provides a diagram of general SKM system overview. The SKMsystem provides a digital platform that can be used either from mobiledevices or computers. Users connect through the Internet to a web serverwhere the SKM application resides. The SKM application in turncommunicates with the database to get and store the relevantinformation.

FIG. 1C is an exemplary block diagram of a more detailed computerarchitecture of a representative computer system within which a supplierknowledge management system (see FIG. 1B) may be implemented. Thecomputer system 32 includes at least one processor 34 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU)) that retrieves and processes data and other formsof electronic information from a computer storage system 30. As will beappreciated by those skilled in the art, while computer system 32 isshown with a specific set of components, various embodiments may notrequire all of these components and could include more than one of thecomponents that are included, e.g., multiple processors. It isunderstood that the type, number and connections among and between thelisted components are exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

In the illustrative embodiment, processor 34 is referred to as CPU 34,which may include any of a variety of types of processors known in theart (or developed hereafter), such as a general purpose microprocessor,a digital signal processor or a microcontroller, or a combinationthereof. CPU 34 may be operably coupled to storage systems 30 andconfigured to execute sequences of computer program instructions toperform various processes and functions associated with the SKM system,including the storing, processing, formatting, manipulation and analysisof data associated with the system (e.g., user keywords, supplierkeywords, supplier service description, tags, supplier client reviews(described below)). The computer program instructions may be loaded intoany one or more of the storage media depicted in storage system 30. Oneillustrative embodiment of functional modules embodying such computerprogram instructions is provided in FIG. 1D.

Storage system 30 may include any of a variety of semiconductor memories37, such as, for example, random-access memory (RAM) 36, read-onlymemory (ROM) 38, a flash memory (not shown), or a memory card (notshown). The storage system 30 may also include at least one database 46,at least one storage device or system 48, or a combination thereof.Storage device 48 may include any type of mass storage media configuredto store information and instructions that processor 34 may need toperform processes and functions associated with the supplier selectionsystem. As examples, data storage device 48 may include a disk storagesystem or a tape storage system. A disk storage system may include anoptical or magnetic storage media, including, but not limited to afloppy drive, a zip drive, a hard drive, a “thumb” drive, a read/writeCD ROM or other type of storage system or device. A tape storage systemmay include a magnetic, a physical, or other type of tape system.

While the embodiment of FIG. 1C shows the various storage devicescollocated, they need not be, as they could be remote to each other, toprocessor 34 or both. Storage system 30 may be maintained by a thirdparty, may include any type of commercial or customized database 46, andmay include one or more tools for analyzing data or other informationcontained therein.

As an example, database 46 may include any hardware, software, orfirmware, or any combination thereof, configured to store data.Specifically, database 46 may be configured to store data andinformation representative of one or more of a plurality of users 12,one or more of a plurality of suppliers 14, or both, as well asassociated data and information. In some embodiments, database 46 mayinclude one or more fields, wherein a field may be an element of adatabase record in which one piece of a particular type of informationmay be stored. In particular, a field may be configured to store anelement of data representative of one or more of the users 12, one ormore of a plurality of suppliers 14, or both.

Computer system 32 may include or interface with one or more securitysystems (not shown), configured to at least partially restrict orcontrol access to one or more components of computer system 32. Securitysystems may include hardware, software, firmware or a combinationthereof, such as, for example, a firewall, password protection software,user authentication software, encryption software and the like. In someembodiments, security systems may be configured to limit a function ofthe supplier selection system, limit access to data associated with thesupplier knowledge management system, or both. In some embodiments,computer system 32 may be configured so that select data containedwithin storage system 30 may be inaccessible to one or more of the users12 and/or suppliers 14.

Computer system 32 may include a network interface system or subsystem54 configured to enable interactions between the plurality of users 12and suppliers 14 via one or more networks 50. As such, computer system32 may be configured to transmit or receive, or both, one or moresignals related to the functions of the supplier knowledge managementsystem. A signal may include any generated and transmittedcommunication, such as, for example, a digital signal or an analoguesignal. As examples, network 50 may be a local area network (LAN), widearea network (WAN), virtual private network (VPN), the World Wide Web,the Internet, voice over IP (VOIP) network, a telephone or cellulartelephone network or any combination thereof. The communication ofsignals across network 50 may include any wired or wireless transmissionpaths.

To enable communications via network 50, computer system 32 may includea set of interfaces 52 and a set of processors 28, 34. The set ofprocessors 28 may include a text processor 62 and a voice processor 64,along with CPU 34. The set of interfaces may include a network interface54, a text interface 58 and a voice interface 66, as shown in thisembodiment. As mentioned above, network 50 may represent a combinationof networks configured to transmit and receive communications withcomputer system 32, via any of the set of interfaces 52.

CPU 34 may be operably coupled to network interface system 54 forexchanging typical computer network information, e.g., via the Internet,a LAN, WAN, VPN or some combination thereof. Network interface system 54may be configured to permit communication between and among the users12, suppliers 14 and computer system 32, for example using an Internetprotocol (IP) or other network-based protocol. In such cases, networkinterface system 54 may be configured to utilize TCP/IP, HTTP, DNS orany other application, transport, network, or link protocol, orcombination of the foregoing.

Text interface 58 may be operably coupled to a text processor 62configured to process received text message and text messages to betransmitted. Text interface 58 may be configured to permit text-basedcommunication between users 12 and computer system 32. For example, incombination, text interface 58 and text processor 62 may includefunctionality to communicate with a two-way pager, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a cell phone, a computer, a laptop, a tablet, aterminal, or any other suitable electronic device, whether wired orwireless. Text processor 62 may include an email system configured totransmit, receive, or process, email messages or a combination thereof.Text processor 62 may also include an instant-messaging (IM) system, atwo-way paging system or other system configured to transmit, receive,or process, or a combination thereof, text-based information. As will beappreciated by those skilled in the art, such systems may also providemechanisms for transferring files between devices. Such files mayinclude any of a wide variety of content.

Voice interface 66 may be operably coupled to a voice processor 64configured to process received voice information and voice data to betransmitted. Voice interface 66 may be configured to permit voice-basedcommunication between and among the users 12, suppliers 14 and computersystem 32. For example, in combination, voice interface 66 and voiceprocessor 64 may be configured to enable interaction with a cell phone,a fixed-line telephone, a VOIP device or other similar device, orcombinations thereof. For example, voice interface 66 may be configuredto transmit, receive, or both, digital or analog signals using wired towireless communications devices and systems, such systems may includetelephone, cellular telephone and VOIP systems, as examples.

In some embodiments, the operable connections between components ofcomputer system 32 may be other than as shown in FIG. 1C. For example,data storage system 30 may be operably connected to communicationprocessors 28 or interfaces 52, or both, such that users from theplurality of users 12 and suppliers 14 may modify data stored in datastorage system 30 using such interfaces and processors.

In various embodiments, systems that may be associated with the SKMsystem may include one or more systems configured to provide additionalfunctions associated or useful in conjunction with the supplierknowledge management system. For example, systems associated with theSKM system may include a tracking system (not shown) configured to trackthe participation, selection and performance of suppliers. Computersystem 32 may be configured to transmit one or more signals to one ormore systems associated with the SKM system. For example, a systemassociated with the SKM system may be configured to receive signals ordata transmitted by computer system 32 wherein the signal/data mayaffect a function of the system associated with the SKM system. Externalsystems could include, as examples, various social media systems.

It is also contemplated that the SKM system may be implemented using oneor more computer systems 32. For example, various embodiments of a SKMsystem may include a plurality of computer systems 32, components ofcomputer system 32, or other systems associated with the SKM system. Itis also contemplated that one or more SKM system may be configured tooperate independently of other SKM systems based on a language, anorganization, a geographic location, or other requirement.

FIG. 1D is a block diagram of an embodiment of a SKM system 70 that maybe implemented using the computer system 32, as an example. SKM system70 can include a variety of functional modules that communicate via acommunication path 82, (e.g., a bus or a network). SKM system 70, asdiscussed with respect to FIG. 1C, may communicate with a set of users(e.g., users 12 and suppliers 14 from FIG. 1C) via network 50. Invarious embodiments, the users may access the SKM system 70 using any ofa variety of wired or wireless devices 90. Such devices may include anelectronic tablet 91, laptop computer 92, a PDA 93, a personal computer94 or a cell phone 95, as examples.

The SKM system 70 may include a user interface module 72 and supplier(or vendor) interface module 80 that may be configured to receive RFIs,profile information, and/or other account inputs from users 12 andsuppliers 14, respectively, and prepare information or content to beoutput via any of devices 90. Such information or content may beconfigured to be provided within a browser or window environment, andcould include, as example, text, graphics, video, audio or the like.More specifically, information presented on the devices 90 may includeinformation representing users 12, suppliers 14, information related toRFIs, supplier recommendations, and supplier performance, or otherinformation associated with the supplier knowledge management system.User interface module 72 and supplier module 80 may also prepareinformation received via network interface 52 for use by the othermodules of the SKM system 70.

A security module 74 may be included if access to SKM system 70 anddatabases 30 are to be protected. As examples, security module 74 mayinclude functionality to authenticate a user or supplier before allowingsuch access, such as by logging in using password protection. Auser/supplier account module 76 may be included to permit the setup andmanagement of user and supplier accounts and profiles, which may bestored in database 30. A user account may include informationidentifying the user, such as name, address, e-mail address and so on. Asupplier account may include information identifying the supplier, suchas name, address, e-mail address and so on, as well as a description ofoffered services, keywords indicating competencies, other user (client)endorsements or “tags,” and other information, as described below.

A supplier (or vendor) evaluation module 78, or validation expertisetool (VET), is also included and provides the primary functionsassociated with request for information (RFI) generation andidentification, sorting, and ranking of suppliers based on RFI inputsreceived from a user, suppliers' self-selected keywords, suppliers'self-descriptions and endorsements (tags) of the suppliers by theirclients. As described more specifically below, the supplier evaluationmodule 78, based on criteria received from a user pertaining to the typeof service desired by the user, operates to compare the receivedcriteria to various information associated with each supplier andgenerates a ranked list of suppliers to the user. The ranked listpresents suppliers having qualifications, recommendations, etc. to theuser that closely match the needs of the user. The user is then able tofurther pursue an engagement inquiry with one or more of the suppliers.

A concierge module 73, or concierge service module 73, can be includedto assist user's in obtaining recommendations of suppliers, such asproviders of goods and services. It can also be used to help profiles ofsuppliers be generated and/or updated within the SKM system. Theconcierge module 73 can interact and exchange information with othermodules of the SKM system 70. The concierge service module 73 can beconfigured to assist in providing the recommendation and selection of agoods and/or service providers.

The concierge service module 73 can include an automated component and amanual component, in various embodiments. The automated component can beconfigured to learn from historic request patterns and other informationavailable to the SKM system 70 to recommend appropriate suppliers. Themanual component can be configured to enable a user to monitor thesystem-generated recommendations and assist where the automated resultsare, for example, insufficient.

In various embodiments, the automated component of the concierge servicemodule 73 can be configured to respond to requests for suppliers througha textual messaging service, which can be built into the applicationand/or provided through other channels, to respond to user requests,e.g., using text interface 58 and text processor 62.

In various embodiments, a human concierge (as a form of user) canmonitor and support the automated component using the concierge servicemodule 73.

In various embodiments, the automated component of the concierge servicemodule 73 can use techniques of machine learning and/or artificialintelligence to improve automated recommendations and responses forclients and suppliers.

Using such learning, the automated component can provide automatedsuggestions to suppliers to assist them in categorizing their goodsand/or service offerings to improve results. In various embodiments, theautomated concierge module can be configured to automatically extractand recommend keywords from each supplier's website. Keywords arepreferably words or phrases that are meaningful to the goods and/orservices being offered by the supplier, which can be based on theresults of machine learning categorization of the supplier.

In various embodiments, the automated component can automatically builda map of English words and/or phrases, where words and/or phrases havingsimilar meanings can be graphically presented on a display close to eachother to facilitate selection by the supplier. The system can beconfigured to use this technological approach to broaden a search andsuggest alternative tags for suppliers. In various embodiments, theautomated concierge component can automatically extract summaries ofsupplier's capabilities and contact details from websites and providethese as suggestions to suppliers and/or use these details to populatecorresponding records in the SKM system.

In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concept, theautomated concierge component can be configured to automatically mapsuppliers onto a low dimensional space such that similar suppliers aregraphically presented close to each other to allow suggestingalternative suppliers and visualizing how suppliers in a specific lineof business may be related to each other.

In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concept, theautomated concierge component can use machine-learning techniques toevaluate reference materials, such as from online sources, that refer tosuppliers to determine a sentiment of the reference material and extractany information about the suppliers' capabilities and/or reputation.This technological capability could identify positive and/or negativeviews about the supplier and/or the supplier's goods and/or services.

In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concept, theautomated concierge service module can be configured to use information,including extracted keywords, descriptions, and sentiments, to improvesupplier profiles and recommendations.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the modules presentin FIG. 1D are merely illustrative. Other embodiments could usedifferent modules that implement the disclosed functions in othermanners, or could combine modules shown.

As set forth above, the inventive concept utilizes information receivedfrom a user/entity and performs “matching” and “sorting” functions toselect and rank suppliers that best fit the criteria input by the userin the RFI. Preferably, in some embodiments, the SKM system issubscriber-based, both for the user and the suppliers. In the case ofusers, a user may be an individual, working as a sole practitioner orwithin a corporate entity, for example, or a corporate (or multi-user)entity that maintains a subscription and enables individual users withinthe entity to access the corporate account for the purpose of vettingand selecting suppliers, see, e.g., FIG. 1A. In the case of a corporateor multi-user entity subscriber, users within the entity are able toview and utilize information input by other users within the entity.Further, in the case of a corporate or multi-user entity, anadministrator may manage the membership of the entity.

In the case of suppliers, suppliers are able to input information aboutthe services and/or goods they offer into data storage system 30 viasupplier interface module 80. The input information can be used tocreate a supplier profile, which can serve as the supplier's presencewithin the SKM system and community enabled thereby. The supplierprofile may take the form of a web page including all of the supplierinformation in a format that presents a user-friendly presentation ofthe supplier to the user.

FIGS. 2A-C shows an example of a supplier profile page 200 createdwithin the SKM system by a supplier. Each supplier can create and updatea public profile that can be viewed by clients. In various embodiments,the supplier profile page 200 can include one or more of the suppliername, website URL, primary and secondary contact information, and adescription of the supplier, including a listing of services offered andspecific disciplines within which the services are offered, a briefpresentation or slide show showcasing its services, as well as a companylogo. The supplier information and content may be presented in the formof a supplier profile within the SKM system.

In some embodiments, the supplier can also select a fixed number ofindividual supplier keywords to describe itself and/or the services andstrengths that it offers. In one embodiment, the number of supplierkeywords is limited to ten. It will be understood, however, that theparticular number of supplier keywords is not critical to the invention,and any upper limit to the number of supplier keywords may beimplemented. By having a limit, the system imposes practical constraintson supplier inputs, which improves evaluation and selection of suppliersby the soliciting entity (e.g., company or company representative).These supplier keywords may be words input by the supplier or, in otherembodiments, selected from a prepopulated listing.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-C, supplier profile page 200 can include the nameand/or logo 202 of the supplier. The supplier-selected keywords areshown at 204 and the supplier description is shown at 206. Thedescription 206 can be a free text input in sentence and paragraph form,whereas keywords can be single words or short phrases. Clientendorsements or tags are shown at 208. Client tags are words or phrasesthat are input by users of the supplier selection system 70 that haveused the services offered by the supplier. Client tags may be words orphrases input by the user or, in other embodiments, selected from aprepopulated listing. The supplier profile may include mechanisms thatenable a user to endorse the supplier be selecting or adding a tag.

Supplier contact and other information are shown at 210, a generaldescription of offered services is shown at 212 and a genericdescription of the types of the supplier's clients is shown at 214. Inaddition to the general and specific information shown in the supplierprofile, in various embodiments, live social media feeds of the supplierare included in the profile, as shown at 216. As described in detailbelow, the general and specific information included in the supplierprofile is utilized by the SKM system to direct users of the system tosuppliers that meet the criteria set forth by users for particularengagements.

In accordance with the inventive concept, a key element can be thelimited description imposed by the SKM system, e.g., 10 words in thisembodiment, which is unique to the SKM system in the supplier profileprocess. Although the supplier profile contains various elements, suchas the description, logo, etc., that can be seen in other webapplication, the process of establishing a description in single wordsor short phrases and applying an upper limit has not been seen. Withthis upper limit, it forces suppliers to use very specific words todefine themselves. This helps client users to easily scan supplierprofiles previews and understand their capabilities and strengths.Another key aspect is that the 10 words are used in the SKM system'salgorithm to match suppliers against clients' business needs, expressedin RFIs issued for client projects.

As each supplier subscribes to the SKM system and populates its supplierprofile through the supplier interface module 80, the profiles arestored in databases 30 maintained by the system. A user (e.g., from asoliciting entity/company) is able, through user interface module 72, tobrowse supplier profiles to review services offered by suppliers in thesystem, as well as the supplier keywords, client tags, supplierdescription, etc. included in the supplier profile. The user is able toadd suppliers to a customized user supplier directory for easy access tothe profiles when particular services are sought. Adding a supply to auser or entity directory may also cause the SKM system to treat thesupplier as a preferred supplier. The supplier searching performed bythe SKM system can give preference to a user's or entity's preferredsuppliers for a particular RFI.

When a user selects a supplier for inclusion in its or its company'sdirectory, the user is prompted to select a number of client tags toassociate with the supplier and the supplier services. These client tagsare used both as filters for the user to conduct searches of suppliersand by the supplier evaluation module, or validation expertise tool, 78,as described below. While these client tags are listed in the supplierprofile, in various embodiments, the supplier of each client tag is notdisclosed to non-related users (i.e., users that are not part of aspecific corporate entity). As set forth above, client tags may be wordsinput by the user or, in other embodiments, selected from a prepopulatedlisting. As shown at 208 in FIGS. 2A-C, as users select client tags tobe associated with a supplier, the client tags are then included in thesupplier profile. In this way, multiple users are able to contribute, ina “crowd sourcing” manner, to the supplier profile, in order to enablethe SKM system to further fine-tune the supplier selection process, asdescribed below.

FIG. 3A shows an example of a client user's contacts page 300. Clientscan add as many suppliers as they want to their contacts page, as partof the client's profile within the SKM system.

Client profile page 300 includes an identification 301 of the user towhich the profile belongs, including name and photo in this example. Alist of suppliers 302 that have been entered by the user is presented ina central region of the page. In the list of suppliers, the suppliername and logo are shown along with a 10 word description entered by thesupplier via its supplier profile page.

A search box 304 is provided to enable the user to search its databaseof suppliers. The user can add and/or remove one or more tags 306, suchas the shown single word or short phrase (e.g., 2-word) tags. The tagscan be used for searching for or otherwise filtering suppliers. A set ofuser options 308 are provided to enable the user to filter its suppliersearch results.

The right column shows a variety of additional information and orutilities made available to the user on its profile page by the SKMsystem in this embodiment. An “Invite a Supplier” region 310 includesmechanisms to enable a user to invite a supplier to join the SKM system,which may be a precursor to adding the supplier to the user's list ofsuppliers. This mechanism enables an electronic communication (e.g.,email) to be sent to a supplier contact. Options for viewing pendinginvitations are also provided here, in this embodiment.

A “Recommendations” region 312 enables a user to initiate an RFI usingthe VET (see below). A “Your Feed” region 314 enables the user toinclude one or more social media feeds in its profile, such as from itssuppliers. The feeds can allow the user to see recent tweets, posts andthe like from social media sources, for example. A “Recent Activity”region 316 enables a user to view recent activity, e.g., from itssuppliers or others, within the SKM system.

FIG. 3B shows a page 340 useful for a client user adding a supplier viathe client's profile. This screen can be rendered by the user searchingsuppliers and then selecting a supplier, here Odessa. When clients add asupplier to their profile, they are prompted to tag the supplier withunique words identifying the supplier they are adding (e.g.: digital,creative, training, etc.), see tag field 342. A dropdown box 344 orother mechanism may be included to assist the user in adding tags. Tagsare then used by the client to easily filter their list of supplierswithin their profile. The tags can be single word (e.g., “digital”) orshort phrases (e.g., “exhibit design”), similar to keywords.

Tag information is leveraged in a unique way as this data is used by theValidation Expertise Tool (VET) algorithm within the SKM system, asdescribed in detail below. Clients define and categorize suppliers withthe tags based on their experience with the supplier and then the SKMsystem uses that information in its VET algorithm to provide precise andaccurate supplier recommendations.

Screen 340 also enables a user to indicate its experience with asupplier, in relationship region 344. In this embodiment, there arethree radio button options shown for user selection. Like the tagsabove, this information is used in the matching and sorting algorithmsassociated with the VET process, as described below. When the user hascompleted the tags and relationship information, selection of button 346adds the supplier to the client user's profile.

FIG. 3C is an example of a screen 360 associated with a user's profile.The screen 360 (“tealboard”) provides a single page that aggregatessocial media for the user. It enables the client to view the suppliers'social media posts, in social media region 362. For example, in thisembodiment, it is possible to see the Twitter, Facebook and LinkedInsocial media posts from various suppliers.

Using a filtering capability 364, the user can filter results to seeonly his suppliers, the suppliers added by colleagues within hiscompany, or all SKM system suppliers. It is also possible to filter bykeyword or company name, in field 366.

FIGS. 3D-3I provide various exemplary screens forming part of a clientcompany user profile within the SKM system, in accordance with aspectsof the inventive concept. The SKM system has a corporate admin modulethat enables procurement and sourcing managers to have complete overviewof what is happening within the system for their company.

An Employees feature 372 renders screen 370, which allows the admin toview the list of all employees that are linked to the company within theSKM system. It is possible to quickly view how many suppliers they haveadded to their corporate account, and to grant/remove an admin role. Thescreen includes a list of employees by name, email, position,department, number of suppliers in their client user accounts, and anindication of whether or not they have admin privileges.

The corporate admin can also click on a user to view the list ofsuppliers s/he added and the tags s/he used for each suppliers, shown inthe screen 375 in FIG. 3E.

Referring to FIG. 3F, the Suppliers feature 374 renders a screen 380that provides a supplier list that gives the corporate admin an abilityto access the list of all suppliers added by employees of the companyand to filter that list by the tags used by the employees to define thesuppliers. The list can also include authorizations, as described below.

Every supplier in the list can be “clicked” to access the informationabout the supplier, shown in screen 385 of FIG. 3G. The informationdisplayed can include: Logo, Name, Description, List of VETs they haveresponded to, List of tags, Number of employees who have tagged thesupplier, as in the example of FIG. 3G. From screen 385, it is alsopossible to mark the supplier as a “preferred” vendor (see checkbox) orto add authorizations if there are MSA (Master Services Agreement), CDA(Confidential Disclosure Agreement), and/or the like in place that applyto the supplier.

Selecting the “Add Authorizations” option in screen 385 causes acorresponding pop-up box 386 to be rendered. The box 386 enables a userto indicate a type of authorization, here “MSA” in this example. Anexpiration date can also be included, which could be the date of thetermination of the MSA. The inventive concept is not limited to thiscombination of information for reflecting or noting authorizations.

Using the VETs feature 376, the corporate admin has access to all theVET RFIs (or “VETs”) of its employees for the company. The admin caneasily view the RFIs generate using the VET that are pending approvaland the VET RFIs that have been approved. Preferably, a VET RFI thatneeds approval is a VET RFI that is ready to be sent to suppliers.However, in order to invite those suppliers to respond to the VET RFI, acorporate admin needs to approve the suppliers, in the preferredembodiment.

Selecting the Membership feature 378 renders a Corporate MembershipDetails screen 390. The corporate admin has access to all the VET RFIs.The membership detail page provides information regarding when thecompany has acquired the corporate subscription. In some embodiments,the corporate subscription is a paid subscription. This screen can alsobe used to enable deletion and addition of a corporate logo, in someembodiments.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-F, which illustrate embodiments of screensthat provide forms associated with the inventive concept of the SKMsystem, in particular the process of creating a RFI by a user isdescribed in the context of a project. The screens walk a user through aseries of VET steps that provide mechanisms of the input of informationnecessary to generate the RFI. A menu of VET Steps displayed on the leftside of each screen provides an overview of the process steps,completion of steps (with checkmarks), and could also be used fornavigation by selecting a step. Navigation from one screen to the nextcan occur by selection of a “Next Step” button at the bottom of eachscreen.

As described below, VET is a detailed form for which the clients (usersand user entities) can input a variety of specifics about a businessneed, within the scope of a project for which a supplier or supplier issought. In this embodiment, the specific information that can be inputby a user includes:

-   -   project name    -   good and/or service type    -   project type    -   business function    -   product name    -   therapeutic area (e.g., medical/healthcare companies)    -   location    -   overview    -   challenges    -   desired outcomes    -   deliverables    -   target audience    -   criteria    -   budget

While certain specific fields within each screen are described, it willbe understood that the purpose and number of required fields can vary,based on a number of factors associated with the user and/or the fieldof endeavor within which the particular goods and/or services aresought. As described further below, the RFI creation process may beperformed once for a particular project. In other words, the RFI createdin this process will include information necessary for the system toselect and rank suppliers and to provide a detailed record of theproject for future reference. Further, the information collected in thisprocess becomes the RFI that is eventually sent out to suppliersselected as a result of the SKM system. Preferably the entire processoccurs electronically within the SKM system and community createdthereby.

FIG. 4A an embodiment of a screen 400 useful in the initial step of anRFI creation process, and is associated with the selection of option“Name and Need” in a left hand menu entitled “VET Steps.” The screen isan interface to a VET functionality of the SKM system. In field 402, theuser acting on behalf of an entity seeking services and/or goods isprompted to enter a number of RFI keywords to identify the servicesand/or goods and supplier qualifications desired by the user. In oneembodiment, the number of RFI keywords is limited to a maximum of ten,although any upper or lower limit may be set. Similar to the entry ofsupplier keywords and user tags, RFI keywords may be words input by thesupplier or, in other embodiments, selected from a prepopulated listing.Field 404 is for entry of a title for the supplier search. Theinformation input to fields 402 and 404 are for the purpose ofidentifying the particular supplier search being performed, forinclusion in the final search results and/or for later reference.

Fields 406-416 are for inputting information specific to the project. Infield 406, the user is prompted to identify the goods and/or servicesand supplier qualifications desired by the user. In field 406, the usermay enter a set of keywords (e.g., which can also be considered RFIkeywords) identifying the desired goods and/or services, for example. Insome embodiments, the number of keywords can have a limit. For example,an upper limit can be ten keywords, although a different limit may beset in other embodiments. Again, similar to the entry of supplierkeywords in field 402 and user tags described above, these keywords maybe words input by the supplier or, in other embodiments, selected from aprepopulated listing.

In field 408, the particular need of the user may be input wordsrelating a need supported by the project. Examples of this are a productlaunch, clinical trial, etc. Terms or phrases relating to the businessfunction that the project is supporting may be input to field 410,relating to a product of system that the project is supporting may beinput to field 412, and relating to a specific therapeutic area ofpractice that the project is supporting may be input to field 414.Finally, a location of the project may be entered in field 416, whichmay be the location at which services are to be provided, goods shipped,and so on.

FIG. 4B illustrates an embodiment of a screen 420 of further step of theRFI creation process, and is associated with the selection of option“Overview” in the left hand menu entitled “VET Steps.” In field 422, abrief summary of the requirements and expectations may be input and, infield 424, specific challenges foreseen by the user may be input. Thesemay be free text input fields.

FIG. 4C illustrates an embodiment of a screen 430 of a further step ofthe RFI creation process, and is associated with the selection of option“Outcomes” in the left hand menu entitled “VET Steps.” Field 432 ofscreen 430 is provided to enable the user to input expected successfuloutcomes of the engagement. In field 434, the user can enterdeliverables expected as a result of the engagement. In field 436, atarget audience can be indicated for the project.

FIG. 4D illustrates an embodiment of a screen 440 for addressingspecific criteria and budget of a project, and is associated with theselection of option “Criteria and Budget” in the left hand menu entitled“VET Steps.” Criteria of a project that are critical and/ornon-negotiable may be input into field 442. Criteria that are important,but not critical, may be input into field 444 and criteria that are notessential, but would be appreciated for the project, may be input intofield 446. Finally, a budget or budget range for the project may beincluded in field 448.

FIG. 4E illustrates an embodiment of a screen 450 for addressing anyadditional information that would be beneficial for the RFI of aproject, and is associated with the selection of option “AdditionalInfo” in the left hand menu entitled “VET Steps.” In field 452, the usercan input any additional information not included in the preceding stepsthat would be useful or necessary for a supplier to provide a detailedand responsive submission. A response deadline request may be includedin field 454 and a preferred start date for the project may be includedin field 456. This screen also provides an opportunity for the user toupload files (see button “Upload Files”), wherein the user can uploadother forms of information, such as specifications, requirementsdocuments, interface documents, workflow documents, project detaildocuments, and so on. Finally, an indication of who, within the userentity, will be managing the project may be specified by selecting oneof the options indicated at 458.

Once all of the information has been provided in the preceding VETSteps, as graphically indicated by the associated checkmarks, choosing“Next Step” in screen 450 causes the SKM system to render screen 460 ofFIG. 4F, wherein the RFI is accordingly considered complete and readyfor admin approval and then suppliers.

FIG. 4F illustrates an embodiment of screen 460 for prompting the userto engage venders/suppliers for the RFI project, and is associated withthe selection of option “Next Steps” in the left hand menu entitled “VETSteps.” In this embodiments, clicking on button 462 (“Get SupplierRecommendations”) initiates the supplier selection and ranking processwithin the SKM system, which is described below with reference to FIGS.6A and 6B.

As described above, the SKM system 70 includes a service that enablesusers of the system, e.g., employees or other representatives of anentity seeking a supplier, to search for suppliers of goods and/orservices based on specific criteria input by the user. Likewise,suppliers are able to be included within the system by developing asupplier profile within the system. Either or both of the uses/suppliersinclusion within and usage of the system may be based on a subscriptionformat.

In some embodiments, suppliers may be electronically invited toestablish a supplier profile within the SKM system. Additionally, oralternatively, suppliers may initiate their own profiles on the SKMsystem. In some embodiments, suppliers may be required to pay asubscription fee for inclusion. And in some embodiments, there may bedifferent levels of suppliers, having corresponding different levels ofsubscription fees. A supplier profile may include active links to itsweb site and/or social medium platforms, e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook,Twitter, Tumblr, and so on.

In this embodiment, the supplier evaluation module preforms a process ofsearching for suppliers that would potentially satisfy the requirementsof the RFI, taking tags, keywords, and relationships into account. Themay be referred to as the VET method, algorithm, or process. Anembodiment of such a process is shown in FIG. 5.

At a high level, the VET process of FIG. 5 includes:

-   -   Step 1—Filter suppliers:        -   Match RFI service type against supplier's chosen goods            and/or services. If we match against at least one good or            service then add that supplier to the matcher.    -   Step 2—Fetch Matches:        -   First Pass: Match RFI ten words against supplier's client            tags.        -   Second Pass: Match RFI ten words against supplier's own ten            words.        -   Third Pass: Match RFI ten words against supplier's own            description.    -   Step 3—Sorting results:        -   Initial Sort (relationship with supplier):            -   Supplier is in user's profile/account            -   Supplier is in user's company profile/account            -   Supplier has no relationship with client        -   First Pass sorting (preferred supplier):    -   1. If corporate account has listed supplier as “preferred” move        to top of sort        -   Second Pass sorting (supplier's client endorsements):    -   1. Sort by breadth (number of tags matched)    -   2. If two suppliers match on breadth, sort by sum of each tag's        number of client endorsements

Example: Both A and B have two client endorsements, but B has the highertag score so B is sorted above A.

TABLE 1 RFI Key Words: engaging, development, technology SupplierSupplier's Client Endorsements Tag Score A engaging (3 tags),development (5 tags) 3 + 5 = 8 B engaging (4 tags), technology (7 tags) 4 + 7 = 11

-   -   Third Pass Sorting (supplier ten words):        -   1. Sort by number of supplier's ten words matching RFI ten            words

Example: A is sorted above B because more words have been matched

TABLE 2 RFI Key Words: engaging, development, technology Number ofSupplier Supplier's Ten Words words matched A engaging, technology,strategic 2 B engaging, creative, innovative, decisive 1

-   -   Fourth Pass Sorting (supplier description):        -   1. Sort by number of words in supplier description matching            RFI ten words

Example: B is sorted above A because more words have been matched.

TABLE 3 RFI Key Words: quality, digital, efficiently Number of SupplierSupplier's Description words matched A . . . We make learning memorable.Our team, 1 our solutions, our project management processes all combinedto ensure we deliver quality, on time and in scope . . . B . . . Ourmaxim: work rapidly and efficiently 2 so that you can too. We aspire torevolutionize your actions, no matter the size, with our custom, digitalsolutions. We review your business processes, identify the strengths andweaknesses, and then optimize the details . . .

The matches are returned and sorted by match level, for this example:

TABLE 4 Rank Vendor Number of RFI Keyword Matches 1 B 15 2 C 12 3 A 11

Referring to FIGS. 6A-6B, an embodiment of a method of selecting asupplier (or suppliers) that is implemented by the SKM system is shown,in accordance with aspects of the inventive concept. The method in FIGS.6A-6B may be a more detailed embodiment of that shown in FIG. 5.

Step 600 involves the ongoing population and updating of the supplierprofiles in the database 30 by the users and suppliers via the userinterface module 72 and the supplier interface module 80, respectively.This step is more of a background step that can be occurring regularly,e.g., in real-time, by the SKM system to maintain an up-to-date databaseof suppliers for various RFI initiation processes.

Step 602 is the SKM system receiving an RFI via the user interfacemodule, such as from selection of the “Get Supplier Recommendations” inscreen 462 of FIG. 4F. From this stop, the method can continue to step602 or step 684 in FIG. 6C. In Step 604, the SKM system compares thegood and/or service type specified in the RFI against the offered goodsand/or services specified by one or more suppliers in a database ofsuppliers. (see field 406 in FIG. 4A) In Step 606, the SKM systemcompiles a list of suppliers listing the good and/or service type soughtby the RFI. In Step 608, a relationship-weighting function may beapplied by the SKM system to the compiled list of suppliers. In thisstep, relationships between the users and/or user entities, e.g.,employee and/or employer's company, and the suppliers may be utilized tofavor suppliers that the user has worked with previously or hasindicated a preference for in the eventual ranking of suppliers. Forexample, if a supplier is included in a user's personal supplierdirectory or if a supplier is in a user entity's supplier directory, butnot in the specific directory of the user creating the RFI, suchrelationships may be used to either favor a supplier in the finalranking or at least to identify a supplier within the ranking as beingin either the user's or user entity's directory. This enables users toquickly identify suppliers with whom a user might have a history.

If the supplier does not have a supplier profile, the SKM system canprovide an automated or semi-automated mechanism for electronicallyinviting the supplier to generate a supplier profile. In someembodiments, users can initiate a basic supplier profile without thesupplier and the supplier can later be invited or otherwise prompted tocomplete or activate the profile and/or subscribe to the SKM system.Alternatively, or additionally, the SKM system can be prepopulated withbasic supplier profiles, and the SKM system and/or users of the SKMsystem can invite or otherwise prompt the supplier to complete oractivate is supplier profile and/or enter a subscription to the SKMsystem. Completing or activating a supplier profile can be aprerequisite enforced by the SKM system for accepting a supplierresponse to an RFI, being considered by the SKM system for RFIs by usersthat have not listed the supplier in the user's or user entity'sdirectory, or both.

A method for ensuring that a particular supplier will be highlighted inthe ranking is for a user to identify a supplier or suppliers as“Preferred” in the user's or user's company's directory, or other suchdesignation. A designation of “Preferred” can be used to ensure that, ifa preferred supplier is identified as offering the service specified inthe RFI, that supplier will be ranked at the top of the list ofsuppliers, regardless of the outcome of the supplier selection processdescribed below with reference to FIG. 6B. In Step 610, if any“Preferred” suppliers are included in the list compiled in Step 106,those suppliers are flagged to be ranked, in Step 612, at the top of thesupplier list. Once the suppliers offering the sought services areidentified, the supplier selection continues at Step 650, FIG. 6B.

Referring now to FIG. 6B, in Step 650, the SKM system retrieves andcompares the RFI keywords to the client tags 208, see FIG. 2B, for eachsupplier on the compiled list of suppliers, Step 652. If no matches arefound in Step 654, the process moves to Step 658. However, if any of theRFI keywords match the client tags listed in a supplier's profile, inStep 654, the number of client tags matched is tallied and the suppliersare ranked accordingly by the SKM system, in Step 656. Either way, themethod continues to Step 658.

An example of such a ranking is shown in the Table 1 above. As shown inthe example table, the RFI keywords are “engaging,” “development,” and“technology.” As set forth above, the RFI keywords can be any wordsselected by the user and, in an embodiment, the user may select up to 10RFI keywords in a single RFI. For simplicity in explaining this feature,only 3 RFI keywords are shown, but it should be understood that theprocess applies regardless of the number of RFI keywords.

In Table 1, Suppliers A, B, and C have been identified by the SKM systemin Step 654, FIG. 6B, and included in the compiled list, Step 656. Sincethe profile of Supplier B included 4 client tags of “engaging” and 7client tags of “technology,” its tag score for this step is 11. SupplierA, having 3 client tags of “engaging” and 4 client tags of “development”has a tag score of 8 and Supplier C, having 1 client tag of “engaging,”3 client tags of “development,” and 3 client tags of “technology,” has atag score of 7. The suppliers are ranked, here listed, according to thetag scores in Table 1 by the SKM system, with Supplier B ranked 1

Returning to Step 658 in FIG. 6B, the RFI keywords are compared to thesupplier keywords 204, see FIG. 2A, for each supplier on the compiledlist of suppliers. If no matches are found in Step 660, the processmoves to Step 664. However, if any of the RFI keywords match thesupplier keywords listed in a supplier's profile, in Step 660, thenumber of supplier keywords matched is tallied and the suppliers areranked accordingly by the SKM system, in Step 662.

An example of such a ranking is shown in Table 2. Again, as set forthabove, the supplier keywords can be any words selected by the supplierand, in an embodiment, the supplier may select up to 10 supplierkeywords for its supplier profile. For simplicity in explaining thisfeature, only 3 supplier keywords are shown, but it should be understoodthat the process applies regardless of the number of supplier keywords.

In Table 2, Supplier C has keywords “engaging,” “development,” and“technology.” Therefore, Supplier C has matched 3 supplier keywords withthe RFI keywords. Supplier A has keywords “engaging,” “technology,” and“strategic.” Therefore, Supplier A has matched 2 supplier keywords withthe RFI keywords. Further, Supplier B has keywords “engaging,”“creative,” and “innovative.” Therefore, Supplier B has matched 1supplier keyword with the RFI keywords.

In Step 664, the SKM system compares RFI keywords to the supplierdescription 206, in FIG. 2B, for each supplier on the compiled list ofsuppliers. If no matches are found, in Step 666, the process moves toStep 670. However, if any of the RFI keywords match words in thesupplier description included in a supplier's profile, in Step 666, thenumber of words matched is tallied and the suppliers are rankedaccordingly, in Step 668.

An example of such a ranking is shown in Table 3 (above). For simplicityin explaining this feature, only example portions of supplierdescriptions are shown. It should be understood that a supplierdescription would likely include a more thorough description.

In Table 3, the supplier description of Supplier B has matched 3 of theRFI keywords, the supplier description of Supplier C has matched 2 ofthe RFI keywords, and the supplier description of Supplier A has matched1 of the RFI keywords.

In Step 670, a sorted and ranked listing of the suppliers is compiledand presented to the user, Step 672. Optionally, the method can proceedto Step 673, where the user is given an option of using the conciergeservice module 73 and related method of FIG. 6C. If the user takes theno (N) path in Step 673, the user can chose from the list presented inStep 672.

As shown in Table 4, which provides an example of a supplier listedoutput as a result of Step 672, Supplier B ranks first with 15 matches,Supplier C ranks second with 12 matches, and Supplier A ranks third with11 matches.

As set forth above, if either Supplier A or Supplier B were indicated asbeing a “Preferred Supplier,” it would have been presented first on thelist. Further, if Suppliers A, B or C are in the user's supplierdirectory or the user entity's supplier directory, a weighting factorcan be applied to the score to be reflected in the final ranking. Theweighting factor is selectable by the user/user entity and could, forexample, add a predetermined number of “bonus” matches to a supplierdepending on the relationship of the supplier with the user or therelationship could be reflected in the final ranking simply by marking asupplier as one that is included in a directory.

Once the ranked list is compiled and presented to the user, the user isable to review the list and select one or more suppliers to which theRFI will be submitted. The system then tracks communications between thesupplier and user as the RFI is processed.

In the case of a corporate or entity user, an administrative function isavailable that facilitates overview and tracking of all RFIs created bythe system and submitted to suppliers, as discussed above with respectto FIGS. 3D-3I. An administrator is able to access a list of allemployees' usage of the system and to view each employee's supplierdirectory. The administrator is able to grant or remove administratorstatus for each employee. The administrator can also view suppliersadded to the entity directory by employees of the company and can filterthat list by the tags used by the employees to define the suppliers. Thesupplier profile of every supplier in the directory is accessible by theadministrator. The administrator is also able to designate a supplier asa “preferred” supplier or to add various authorizations if there areMaster Services or Confidentiality agreements in place with a supplier.

Referring now to FIG. 6C, an embodiment of a concierge method is shown,which can be implemented using the concierge service module 73 of FIG.1D. The concierge module can be used to help build or augment a supplierprofile within the SKM system. It is advantageous to the supplier thatits profile leads the SKM system to automatically recommend the supplierto fulfill a client's needs for goods and/or services. In Step 674, theconcierge module 73 extracts data from a supplier web site. In Step 676,the concierge module maps words and tags extracted from the supplier'swebsite to alternative tags within the system. Such alternative tags canbe words or phrases known to have similar meaning within the field ofthe supplier. As an example, if the phrase “biohazard waste disposal” isextracted from a supplier's website, an alternative tag presented by theconcierge module could be “medical waste.” The supplier could opt toinclude the alternative tags to its profile or not.

In Step 678, the concierge modules can also summarize the supplier'scapabilities from the content of the supplier's website, e.g., from theextracted data in step 674. In Step 680, the concierge module could mapthe supplier into a grouping of suppliers in similar lines of business.In Step 682, the concierge module determines the credibility/level ofexperience the supplier has for each capability that is claimed on theirwebsite.

In Step 684, a VET request is received. If, in Step 673 of FIG. 6B, theuser chose the yes (Y) option to use the concierge method, the processcontinues to Step 684 in FIG. 6C where the concierge module receivesand/or accesses the VET request. In Step 686, the concierge modules 73evaluates best fit for the VET request using available data, such aswithin the SKM system.

In Step 688, a question of whether or not confidence is high in the listof suppliers generated and output by the SKM system, based on theresults of Step 688. If the answer in Step 688 is yes (Y), the processreturns to Step 672 via connector “C”, where the supplier list itoutput. But if the answer in Step 688 is no (N), the method continues toStep 690, where the manual component of the concierge module 73 can beused by a user as discussed above.

In Step 692, the user can manually select suppliers from an outputprompted by the concierge module. In Step 694, the concierge modulelearns from the user's interaction and stores the learned knowledge forfuture use in generating list of suppliers. The process continues, viaconnector “C” back to Step 672 of FIG. 6B where an updated supplier listis output.

While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the bestmode and/or other preferred embodiments, it is understood that variousmodifications can be made therein and that the invention or inventionsmay be implemented in various forms and embodiments, and that they maybe applied in numerous applications, only some of which have beendescribed herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim thatwhich is literally described and all equivalents thereto, including allmodifications and variations that fall within the scope of each claim.

1. A computer-based supplier knowledge management method, comprising:providing a network accessible computer system comprising at least onecomputer processor coupled to at least one storage medium and computerprogram code configured for storage therein and execution thereby; andexecuting the computer program code to perform the method, including:establishing an electronic profile for one or more users from an entity;establishing an electronic supplier profile for each of a plurality ofsuppliers, each supplier profile comprising a set of supplier keywords;generating an electronic RFI by an entity user, the RFI comprising a setof user specified RFI keywords corresponding to a project; andelectronically processing the RFI, including performing keyword matchingbetween the RFI keywords and one or more of the supplier profiles andgenerating a list of candidate suppliers for the project based, at leastin part, on the keyword matching.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theRFI identifies one or more RFI service type for the project and eachsupplier profile includes one or more supplier good or service type, andprocessing the RFI includes good and/or service type matching thatdetermines the list of candidate suppliers as suppliers having a good orservice type matching an RFI service type.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the system performs the good or service type matching before thekeyword matching and the keyword matching is only performed on supplierprofiles having a good or service type match.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein performing the keyword matching includes calculating a keywordmatching score for each of the one or more supplier profiles.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein each supplier profile further includessupplier client tags and/or a supplier description, and performing thekeyword matching for a supplier includes: determining matches betweenRFI keywords and the client tags in the supplier profile; and/ordetermining matches between the RFI keywords and the supplier keywordsin the supplier profile; and/or determining matches between the RFIkeywords and the supplier description in the supplier profile.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein performing the keyword matching for thesupplier profile includes: calculating a supplier tag score based on anumber of matches between the RFI keywords and the client tags in thesupplier profile; and/or calculating a supplier keyword score based on anumber of matches between the RFI keywords and the supplier keywords inthe supplier profile; and/or calculating a supplier description scorebased on a number of matches between the RFI keywords and the supplierdescription in the supplier profile.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein:calculating the supplier tag score for the supplier profile includessumming the number of matches between the RFI keywords and the clienttags in the supplier profile; and/or calculating the supplier keywordscore for the supplier profile includes summing the number of matchesbetween the RFI keywords and the supplier keywords in the supplierprofile; and/or calculating the supplier description score for thesupplier profile includes summing the number of matches between the RFIkeywords and the supplier description in the supplier profile.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the method includes calculating the keywordmatching score for a supplier profile by summing at least two of thesupplier tag score, the supplier keyword score, and the supplierdescription score.
 9. The method of claim 4, wherein generating the listof candidate suppliers includes ordering the list of candidate suppliersbased on the keyword matching scores.
 10. The method of claim 4, whereincalculating a keyword matching score for each supplier on the list ofcandidate suppliers includes associating a numerical value for eachkeyword match between an RFI keyword and a supplier keyword from thecorresponding supplier profile.
 11. The method of claim 10, whereincalculating a keyword matching score for each supplier includesaccumulating the numerical values for each supplier based on the keywordmatching for the corresponding supplier profile.
 12. The method of claim1, wherein establishing the electronic profile for one or more usersfrom an entity includes listing a set of preferred suppliers inassociation with the entity.
 13. The method of claim 1, whereinestablishing the electronic profile for one or more users from an entityincludes listing a set of preferred suppliers in association with theuser.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplier profile comprisesa plurality of elements, including a description of services offered,peer endorsement tags and, optionally, one or more of a logo, web siteURL, contact information, client testimonials and social media links.15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: the system providingmechanisms to enable user tagging of a supplier profile, wherein a tagis a word tag applied to the supplier profile as an electronicendorsement of the supplier via its supplier profile.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising: first pass sorting the list of candidatesuppliers, including putting preferred suppliers above other suppliers.17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: second pass sorting thelist of candidate suppliers, including determining a tag matching scorefor each supplier and ordering suppliers based on the tag matchingscore, with a supplier having the highest tag score above suppliers withlower tag scores.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein second passsorting includes, if two or more suppliers tag scores match, sortingbased on a number of client endorsements for each tag for each supplier,with the supplier having the highest number above the other suppliers.19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: third pass sorting thelist of candidate suppliers, including listing suppliers having ahighest keyword matching score above suppliers with lower keywordmatching scores.
 20. The method of claim 1, further comprising: thesystem imposing an upper limit on a number of supplier keywords for thesupplier profile.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the upper limit ofsupplier keywords is equal to or less than 20 total supplier keywords.22. The method of claim 21, wherein the upper limit of supplier keywordsis 10 total supplier keywords.
 23. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: the system providing electronic mechanisms enabling asupplier to add a set of keywords representing supplier competencies assupplier keywords.
 24. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplierprofiles include a button or other user input device that enables a userto recommend the supplier by adding an endorsement tag to the vendorprofile.
 25. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplier profiles are inthe field of healthcare and supplier competencies are related tohealthcare goods and/or services and/or goods and/or services useful tohealthcare providers. 26.-47. (canceled)